Show napoleon and the balloon when napoleon was a young cadet ho he went on one occasion to witness the ascent of 0 a balloon in the champs de mars he entered unperceived the inclosure which contained the balloon which was then very nearly full and about to ascend and requested the aeronaut to allow him to enter the car the request however was refused the reason given being that the feelings of the boy might embarrass the aeronaut though I 1 am young I 1 fear neither the powers of 0 earth nor ot of the air air bonaparte is reported to have exclaimed on being requested to retire the little cadet enraged at the refusal drew his sword arid and slitting the balloon in several places destroyed the apparatus which had deen been constructed with infinite labor and ingenuity such was napoleons first and last attempt to ascend in a balloon |